Halloween Costumes!

Now that it's almost Christmas, I thought it was about time I show you what we did for Halloween!!  Settle in, this is a long one!

Sam was a pumpkin.  The most adorable one I've even seen.

Kids Clothing Week was more like Kids Costume Week here.  I still have grand intentions of finishing up some kids clothing sewing before the year is out but seriously....there are only a few weeks left in the year so we'll see.

This year, after much deliberation on Matthew's part, the kids settled on a Tiger and a "Purple Sparkley Princess with a Magic Wand" as what they wanted to be for Halloween.

Easy enough.  Matthew won't wear elaborate costumes so I knew we had to adapt regular clothes as best we could.  We found an orange long sleeve shirt and painted black stripes onto it with fabric paint.  He did the sleeves before he lost interest.

The pants took a little more time.  I couldn't find ready made orange pants anywhere, so I bought some plain twill fabric, dyed it orange, and then used this pattern to turn them into pants and painted them.

For Abby it was clear she knew exactly what she wanted and I was excited for the challenge of meeting her expectations.  I found this pattern on Etsy and knew it'd make the perfect princess dress that I could customize.  It was a great pattern, and I wanted something that could double as a dress up costume once Halloween was over.  I used the 4T size and it's a little tight.  Abby is a sturdy 3 1/2 year old but I was hoping for a little more wiggle room as she needs help getting into this one.  Oh well.  It's adorable and I'll happily help her get into it.  Just a note for next time.

I scoured the remnant bins at JoAnn's for a while before to get most of the fabrics I used and then put it together relatively easily, although sewing with costume satin is like trying to sew jello together.  Not fun no matter what pattern and how many pins you're using.

I overlayed the netting stuff early on and sewed it down so I could treat that and the satin as "one piece" and it was a little easier to sew.  The netting seemed to stabilize the satin a little, which was a happy outcome I wasn't anticipating.  I used ribbon and bias tape along the edges to hide my mistakes and the fact that I really didn't want to hem that satin stuff (that has resulted in some nasty fraying, but nothing super destructive or world ending).

I chose to close the dress with these hook and eye things, mainly because that's what I had and I wasn't smart enough to think of using velcro so she could put it on herself.  Isn't that smart for a dress up/costume outfit?  My mother-in-law had that insight and I'm definitely going to use it on the next princess dress we make!

We made a tiger mask and crown out of felt that I glued together (lesson: use glue that is NOT water soluble so when you spill water on it at the church Halloween party the pieces will stay on) and sewed elastic to the sides to keep it on.

Abby also required a "Magic Wand" so we cut a wooden dowel in half, she painted it yellow, and then directed the placement of the flowers and ribbons that I applied with a glue gun.

Sash, wand holster, it's all the same.

My first and favorite memories of sewing are listening to my mom cut patterns on the living room floor for our Halloween costumes, the hum of the machine while she sewed them up in the dining room after we went to bed, being "forced" to come try things on and hand her pins, but I loved it.  Having awesome costumes was one of the best things about being a kid.  So when people ask why I make their costumes instead of getting an $8 costume at Costco (by the way, there's NOTHING wrong with buying costumes at all!!), it's definitely not easier or cheaper, but I do it because I like the memories that I hope they will have, and also really like the challenge of fulfilling the fashion desires of a 3 year old. 

They have both worn and used elements of their costumes since Halloween and had the BEST time trick-or-treating so even though it took all of kids clothes week I'm calling it a total win! And if you made it this far, you deserve a Christmas cookie since I hope you don't have any Halloween candy left!!

easy washi tape pumpkin craft

We decorated for Halloween a while ago, but I noticed we don't have a ton of decorations.  To be honest I have a hard time spending money on things that sit in a box for 11 months out of the year, so that's probably why.

Crafts I can do with the kids or myself that become decorations is more my thing.  Especially this one, because I got to put some of that washi tape I've been hoarding to good use!!

I can't remember where I first saw this idea, but it definitely isn't mine.  If anyone knows, please share. 

Here's what you do, it's way easy and could be adapted to any shape. 

You'll need:
-washi tape
-cardstock
-background paper or cardstock
-regular tape or glue (whichever you prefer)
-picture frame

1. Put strips of washi tape on your paper in whatever order or color you want.  Obviously I went with black and orange for Halloween.  Tip: If you know your shape isn't going to take up the majority of the paper you can taper your strips so you're not wasting that lovely tape. 

2. Cut, from the paper you just covered in tape, whatever shape you want.  I cut a pumpkin shape out of my orange and black tape covered paper. 

3. Tape or glue your shape to your background paper and fit into a frame.

4. Hang up and enjoy!

See?  I told you it was easy.  And now you're totally justified in getting more washi tape, haha.

How to not freak out...unless you want to. Then I have some recommendations.

(pssst!  I'm #598 in the bloggers quilt festival so if you feel like voting or nominating, go here!  There are so many, SO MANY, gorgeous quilts to pick from!)

So last night we watched Ghostbusters in honor of Halloween as I snuggled under my newly finished quilt.  Then it came up that I'd never seen Alien, so we watched that next...Here are my tips for surviving any creepy movie you haven't seen before...

1.  When your husband wants to watch Alien and you've never seen it before, make sure he turns the volume down so no creepiness gets lodged in your subconscious.  A quiet movie is a much less creepy movie.

2.  Make a random blog post to keep your mind occupied.  Especially after he says this is the movie that gave him nightmares for a week and you get creeeeeeped out easily (it makes my armpits sweat. Like really suddenly, and I hate it when things pop out at me).

3.  Distract yourself by deciding to make a quilt with these blocks in totally awesome fabrics.  I've become a bit obsessed with traditional blocks and patterns done in modern fabrics and color combinations.  They look so cool.  I'm thinking some text fabrics, and no solids.  And lots of fabrics I love, just because I love them.

4.  Check out fat quarter shop's sale page.  They've just put a bunch of Halloween fabrics on sale and I've got my eye on this bundle right here.  While you're at it, check all the sale pages : )

5.  Pinterest.  I get distracted here and can easily fill my mind with a reservoir of happy thoughts and ideas.  Zulilly and VeryJane are also favorite spots to browse.  Good deals too so that's always a happy thing.

6. Spoonflower.  I'm loving this design and think it would be awesome on one wall in a bathroom, or on the back of a bookcase if you got it in wallpaper.  Heck, it'd be so cool to wallpaper a closet with this!  Drawers lined with it...the possibilities are endless....I need some.  Or in fabric it would be a totally rad wholecloth quilt all on it's own.  Such a great design.

7.  Then, when the movie is only downloaded halfway, go to sleep because it's already 12:30.  But take a long shower first so you have time to forget about the movie.  Or just replay Spaceball's spoof of Alien in your head and laugh yourself to sleep!   

I don't really mind these alien types of movies because they're so far fetched.  I just hate it when something pops out of the wall (or someone's belly) and makes me jump...!

BUT! If you really want to creep yourself out, I recommend psychological thrillers like Hide and Seek, Psycho, or the cult favorite TV show from the 90's, Twin Peaks.

Anything Hitchcock is great.  He is still the master of suspense in my opinion.  Suspicion is a great one not many people have seen.

Part of me really enjoys the psychology of it because the mind is such an amazing, fascinating, and complicated thing, but those creepers stick with me much longer.  So put those on your list for next year, and make a quilt to have when you need to shield your eyes!

And then watch some Phineas and Ferb for some silly happiness!  Because Perry is fantastic.

By the way, HAPPY NOVEMBER!! 

WIP Wednesday

Happy Halloweeeeeen!! again...two posts in one day!  Yahoo! 


Done:


-Halloween costumes: We had our ward Halloween party last night and the kids ran their costumes around, and one of them got barfed on...yuck...but they looked sooooo good! And they were so excited to wear them!

 

-I made TWO Wiksten Tova Tops this week and am already planning out the next ones. 

My husband was pretty impressed that I could sew myself a shirt and not look like a homeless pilgram.  He said I should make one in blue (which obviously means I need to buy some of this fabric right?!). I highly recommend this pattern.  I didn't make a muslin and both shirts turned out wonderfully.   And this was the first real garment I've ever made for myself.  It was wonderful.


-I finished up these Fly a Kite pillow covers that have been sitting on my dryer for way too long!  I don't know why I waited so long on these, they were so easy and I kindof want to keep them all!  But they'll be in my shop soon.

-I got two small quilts quilted, binding cut and made for another one, and found a solution to a problem I was stuck with in another quilt top!  Weekends are productive for me : )


Still To do this week:


-I've got bee blocks to finish, and if you're waiting for one from me I promise this is the week I am getting caught up!!  And I apologize for keeping you waiting...being late is really anti my usual way of operating.  I'm usually 10 minutes to things and then wondering if I'm in the right place because I'm the first one there, haha! 


-I've got bee fabrics to cut and mail as I'm in charge of a couple bees in November, so that also means directions to post to Flickr.  I'll share these since I'm pretty excited for what I've come up with! 



What do you have going on this week? Is your week as busy as mine?  Probably busier, I can get a little dramatic in my head sometimes ; )

Linking up as usual to WIP Wednesday at Lee's! 

WIP Wednesday: Halloween Edition

So, this week is going by faster than it should.  We are having a black and orange Halloween party at our house on Friday (yeah, two days away Friday...) and so I'm narrowing my sewing this week to catching up on Bee blocks and Halloween sewing.

Finished

(or almost finished...) I basted the heck out of some small quilt tops.  Now I just need to finish quilting them, but at least they got moved one step ahead!

Halloween Quilt: 
-So excited to get some good pictures of this.  I love it.  It'll get it's own post soon too, promise ; )

Halloween Bunting and Tutorial:
-You can find that post here.  I love mine.  Adds some happiness to the blank wall!

Bee blocks:
-one day this past week my kids fell asleep at 6:30 so I had a great night of sewing.  I apologize if you follow me on Instagram because you'll have already seen 90% of these pics : /

I got so much done I had time to work on my fun time just for me project.  I sew scraps together, mostly strips, with no direction or editing in mind, and it's pure blissful therapy to see what happens!  Here's what I've got so far:

 I love how it's turning out!

Halloween Costumes:
-Pinkie Pie from My Little Pony - DONE!  I'll have a better picture (I hope) after the thrill of having a tail has worn off.  This is the best I got, she just wouldn't sit still for it!

 This was made by following a tutorial on Craftiness is Not Optional that Jess did for her girls this Halloween.  I tell you what, and it might sound silly, but I was able to make this and it totally doesn't look like a craft project disaster!  I'm actually much more confident that I understand how patterns work and how pieces go together so I'm going to plunge forward and make more clothes!  As you'll see further on in my list.

If you have a little pony in your house, this is a great tutorial!!

Still need to make:
-Mario costume for the monkey boy
-Halloween pillow (just needs to be quilted and assembled)
-Black and Orange shirt for me!  I'm making a Wiksten Tova Tunic and Tank but hope to have one done to wear Friday and the other done to wear on Halloween!  Most of all I'm excited about the fabrics and scared to mess them up.  Wish me luck!

I'm linking up (in time!) to WIP Wednesday over here.  I've already seen some great projects I want to add to my "someday make this" list.  Go look!

Thank you to all who have entered my giveaway so far!  I'm enjoying your comments so much!!  I'm going to compile a list of all the books you've suggested so y'all can see, it's a great variety!

If you haven't entered, there's still time!  Here is the post, and you've got until tonight when I'll close the comments.  I'll pick a winner tomorrow! 

Halloween Bunting Tutorial!!

Sorry I didn't get this up yesterday.  I got sick really suddenly Friday night, slept most of Saturday except for a Target trip, and then I slept the rest of the day away.

I'm feeling better today though and since Halloween is only a week and a half away, it's about time I got this put together!

In cutting strips for my Halloween quilt I had those end of the row extra pieces that I wanted to do something with and came up with this.  There are lots of ways this can be fancied up or personalized so I encourage you, if you make this, to feel free to make it your own.  That's the fun part!! 

Here's what you'll need:

-fabric scraps (we'll be folding them in half so keep that in mind if you choose something with a design you want to feature).
-ribbon (figure out how long you want your bunting to be and cut ribbon accordingly.  For me this means, look at the wall it's going on and then guess, or hold up the ribbon and cut.  Not very scientific but that's ok).

1.  Iron scraps in half, right sides together.

2.  Stitch 2 sides closed, be sure your opening is at the top if you have an "up" to your print.

3.  Turn right side out and iron flat.

4.  Stitch around all sides.
 (I didn't follow my own advice on this one, and it probably isn't a huge deal if you don't stitch up the top first, as you'll stitch over it when sewing it to the ribbon.)

5.  Grab your ribbon and on a flat surface place, or pin, your pieces on one side of the ribbon.  This will be the back, so keep in mind when placing any pieces that have designs or prints you especially want to feature.  This is also helpful in deciding how big your bunting will be and therefore, how much ribbon you'll actually be using. 

6.  Make a loop knot, for hanging, on each end of your ribbon.

7.  Stitch each fabric piece to the ribbon in any order you want, and continue until you are out of ribbon or out of fabric, or until you come to the loop.  Just keep an eye out for the end so you don't have to unpick stitches. 

 

(I asked him to smile for me and this is what he did...But! He was a great helper and handed me each piece so I got a very random distribution and only edited so that two of the same weren't next to each other)

8.  Trim any loose threads, turn over so ribbon is on top of fabric.  Hang up your bunting and enjoy!! 

i am so excited for when i won't rent a house anymore...so i can pick the wall colors....

If you have any questions, of if anything about this is confusing, let me know and I'll do my best to help!  Hope you all have a great week!!

Don't forget the giveaway for my 100th post is open until Wednesday night so go here to enter!!

Discounted Rainbow Baby quilt in the shop!

Monday's aren't too cool with me so I wanted to show you this quilt I finished over the weekend and listed in my Etsy shop.

I used charms from a rainbow charm swap I did over the summer to make it, and think it'll be great for a little one to carry around.  It'd be great too as a playmat for a baby to roll all over and stare at and learn colors!

I've taken $20 off the price of this one because I wasn't happy with the way my "straight line" quilting turned out.  There's nothing wrong with the construction, it's just that the lines aren't straight....so I'm still hopeful that someone will enjoy it and not care that the lines are a little wavy!!!

The quilt measures 45 1/2" square and is backed with a leftover Ikea sheet that is super cozy and a great blue with red dot print. 

You can find the listing for this quilt here.

Thanks everyone!

My next post (100th!!!)  includes a tutorial for a super cute Halloween decoration and a giveaway!!  Be sure to come back soon :)

(Ok, I'll tell you, it's bunting!!)